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Hunting Season Results

Tim was the big winner of hunting season this year. He came away with an antelope, elk, and a moose. He also scored big with geese and bobcat trapping. I think Matt and Cody were being nice to him because he had to miss the last two seasons while in Peru.

If you want to know how "big" each animal scored you will have to call Tim. If you want to know where they got the animals, I don't know. They wouldn't tell me. I guess it is their secret spot! Now I just have to figure out how to store and cook all of the meat.

T'was the Morning of Christmas

T'was the morning of Christmas and all through the Eardley house,
Nothing was quiet, not even a mouse.
Too many presents were under tree,
Everyone's day was cheery, bright, and full of glee!

Christmas 2008

Happy Holidays from the Eardleys

Here is our family card and letter for all of our friends and family to enjoy. Stay tuned for the exciting Christmas photos from the family.
Dear Friends and Family,

That time has arrived again for the annual Christmas letter. This year Trish came up to me and said that as payment for marrying her son… I had to write it. While being a part of this family I have noticed four main seasons: trapping season (November- March), irrigating season (April- June), haying season (July- September) and hunting season which occupies the rest of the year. 2008 was awesome year for the Eardley family.

During trapping season, a hallowed holiday dutifully observed and attended sometimes blessed with bobcats other times pack rats, Matt spent his days religiously bouncing through the desert and is hoping for another successful season. In March Matt and Trish spent three weeks in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, and Peru. They saw diving iguanas, sea turtles, and visited Machu Picchu. Trish dove with hammerheads sharks and Matt caught a ride underwater with a sea turtle.

Just as irrigating season began, school ended and since I had a month before Cody and I left for our trip, I became Matt’s ranch hand while Cody welded out in the oil field. I cleaned ditches, built dams, and baby-sat hundreds of pheasants. I had a lot of fun, though following Matt’s irrigation maps was like learning a new language. Starting June, Cody and I boarded a plane and headed to Central America where we spent six weeks living in El Salvador doing humanitarian work with an organization called Help International. We built houses, loved orphans …so much that I wanted to bring one home, and changed bandages in hospitals. We also took a few trips while we were there. We traveled to Guatemala where we roasted marshmallows on running lava and went on a boat ride across a lake with rocks that float. In Utila, an island off the coast of Honduras, we went scuba diving in the Caribbean and Cody caught his first shark.

In late summer during haying season, Cody and I returned and I went back to work for Matt and Cody the oil field. This time I raked hay, turned bales and hauled wood. In August Trish ran her first half- marathon, 13.1 miles, in under two hours. Go Trish! She also taught a paleontology class and got scuba certified. In early September Timmy came home off his mission in Peru and is now waiting to start school again in January. Trish was able to catch a plane to Peru to pick up her missionary. They spent 2 weeks together touring Tim’s mission and meeting the Peruvian people.

Timmy was the high achiever of the hunting season this year. During the second week of September when the boys left for their annual hunt out of Jackson, Tim shot an elk and a deer. Then he shot two doe antelope as well as a buck antelope and, to top the season off, he took down a charging bull moose at twenty yards. The boys really have had a good year trekking through the wilds together getting reacquainted.

The Eardleys have had a grand year, one filled with memories to last a lifetime. The best memories come from spending time with family. We are blessed to have a close family, live in such a peaceful setting on the ranch, and share work and play together. But best of all we are blessed to be part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and receive the blessings it brings at this Christmas season and throughout the year.
Merry Christmas 2008

In Loving Memory of Aunt Zoanne

Leora (Zoanne) Near: Feb. 19, 1947 — Dec. 21, 2008
Zoanne was born Feb. 19, 1947, to Walt Eardley and Leora Gross Eardley in Rock Springs. She spent her life in Wyoming and graduated from Lyman High School where she was a cheerleader and graduated as the Salutatorian of her senior class.

Zoanne attended Utah State University where she met the love of her life, Kenny Near. They were married June 11, 1966 in Lyman. To this union came four children: three daughters and one son. Zoanne’s number one love and priority was her family. She was so proud of her husband and each of her children and their accomplishments.

Zoanne had many other loves in her life. These included: horses (Zoanne and Kenny spent countless hours together at horse races and sales), shopping (Zoanne especially loved to shop with her girls), yard work (she loved her yard and her flowers and would spend long hours outside in the summer), and attending any activities that involved her children or grandchildren.

Zoanne was a very compassionate person and her love was felt by many even beyond her family. She was a good listener, would never tell a secret, and was a friend to everyone she met. She always had her make-up on and her hair done and would never go anywhere without it.

Zoanne served on the hospital board at Evanston Regional Hospital. She was also an active member of the LDS church where she served in many organizations.

Zoanne passed away peacefully at her home on Dec. 21. She was preceded in death by her father, Walter Eardley; mother, Leora Gross Eardley; one sister, Lois Gardner and one nephew, Scotty Platts.

She is survived by her loving husband, Kenny; her daughters, Kim (Dale) Wilson, Toni (Josh) Christiansen, Janell (Paul) Langlois; her son, Rick (Joy) Near; 8 1/2 grandchildren: Macy, Alli, Lexi, Kyler, Kasey, Conrad, Kendyl, Keegan, and one on the way; one brother, Darius (Fern) Eardley; one sister, Vonda (Melvin) Platts; one sister-in-law, Diana (Victor) Katopodis; and one brother-in-law, Gerald (Lois) Gardner.
Funeral services will be conducted on Dec. 24 at 11 a.m. at the Lyman Stake Center in Urie. There will be a visitation on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m., also at the Lyman Stake Center, and again on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until service time. Interment will be at the Fort Bridger Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of Crandall Funeral Home.

Tim and Teni

Meet Tim and his cute girlfriend, Teni
Meet Teni. Her real name is Tenika. Meet Tim. His real name is Brian. These pictures were taken in the area around where Teni lives in Spring City, UT. She is the oldest in her family of 4 kids. She likes outdoor sports and activities. She is a fast runner! Tim met Teni through Stephanie and Cody. She and Steph went to school together at North Sanpete High School. Teni is a student at Snow College studying Biology. Oh no, another Biology nerd! We enjoy having Teni around the ranch on most weekends.

He Thinks His Tractor's Sexy!

It has been a while since I have had a chance to blog. This one will be short and sweet. It is mostly for Leace who asked me to put up some pictures of Tim since they haven’t seen him and I haven’t posted many of him since he has been home. I asked him to make a collection and this is the first one he chose. Look for more to follow of his hunting adventures and his cute girlfried, Teni. He took This photo himself (Camera Timer)and came up with the catchy title. Wouldn’t you know it. So This is for you Aunt Leaca. Timmy thinks his tractor is sexy and his dog is not bad looking either!

"Boo" from the Eardley Crew

Kaycee (Jeremy’s wife) has started a new tradition with the Eardley family, She does a fantastic job of throwing a Halloween pumpkin carving party for all of us. I use to hate carving pumpkins because I always make the same stupid pumpkin face. Then she taught me you could make really “cool” pumpkins if you used a pattern. A pattern, who would have thought? I didn’t even know that pumpkin carving patterns existed. Now I love carving pumpkins. Most of all I love growing them in the garden to use for the party. This year I searched the net to find the perfect pumpkin pattern. I found a witch I loved and my holiday was complete.
Although I loved carving the pumpkin the very best part of the night is seeing the joy in the little kid’s eyes and hearing their laughter as they work on their own pumpkins. I is certainly a family affair. We all come. Kaycee cooks good food (Stuffed mushrooms, potato soup, pigs in a blanket and other Halloweenish, Fallish, types of food), Matt growls with the kids (Watch the video, you will laugh out loud), and we all have a great time together.
Thanks Kaycee. It was a “Spook” tacular night.

You Might Be a Redneck If.......

You might be a redneck if your Halloween pumpkin is held together with duck tape and toothpicks! Last week we had a Dad and Daughter pumpkin carving night at our house for Young Women’s. Emily’s dad couldn’t come so Timmy took over. What a mistake! He jumped right in carving with an eight inch hunting knife. From that moment on I knew it was going to be bad. Emily took it all in stride and seemed to have a great time. In fact everyone had a great time. We topped off the evening off with prizes, photos, chili and brownies. It is always a blessing to see the young women interacting with their dads. The night turned out to be Terror-ific!

Happy Birthday Dear Stephanie............

Happy Birthday Dear Stephanie! You’re 21!
Steph turned 21 on October 2, 2008. These flowers are the most wonderful creation. I don’t know their “real” name but I call them “Tie Dyed” roses. Their fun and innovative appearance reminds me of Stephanie and her amazing personality. We love her a bunch and know that Cody is one lucky boy to have such a wonderful wife.

Just trying out a new blog "thing"

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I am just trying out a new blog "thing" with some family pictures I took of my friend Toni Martin and her family last Sunday before the snow.

Catching a New Wave, Continued

Here are the photos to accompany the previous blog.

Catching a New Wave

2 new blogs in one day. Can you believe it.

As far as the blogging goes, I am catching a new wave. (The reason for the photos!)This photo was taken on the beach at Trujillo, Peru. I flew down to Peru to bring Tim home from his mission. It was such a great time. I got to meet people Tim taught and worked with day after day. It was a moving experience to have so many people tell me how “my son” changed their lives. Most of the people could not speak any English and I can’t speak much Spanish. Tim translated but the Spirit truly spoke to our hearts and our feelings were shared. We traveled all through the mission and met some very wonderful people. One highlight of the trip was to me Emily. She is the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen. I would like to bring her home. Tim and I traveled with the Merkley family. They are from Green River, WY. After touring Tim’s mission we took a side trip to Machu Picchu. It was just as amazing the second time around. On this trip I decided to climb Wyna Picchu. That is the large mountain you see behind Machu Picchu in all of the famous photographs. It was spectacular. Best of all, I got to spend so much time with Tim. It was so good to see him after being gone for 2 years. What a blessed family we are.
The photos are: Tim and Trica on the beach in Trujillo, Peru, Trica eating a traditional late night snack, Trica at the top of Wyna Picchu, Tim being sacrificed on an Inca alter, and my favorite picture of Tim in the Andes.

Turning Over a New Leaf

There I go again, procrastinating! I wrote this blog last week and then just didn't get it posted. Just my luck. It snowed and fall was over. That is what I get for putting things off until the last "season". Well, I am going to post it anyway.


Turning Over a New Leaf
The colors are so beautiful right now on the Eardley Ranch, I just couldn’t help but add a couple of pictures to the blog. I also want you all to notice that I am “turning over a new leaf” as I have added 3 new blogs to my spot in the last week!
I love fall. It is my favorite time of the year. It is cool and crisp in the morning and the night with wonderful days. But remember, I live in Wyoming and it could snow any day. Happy Fall.

Run Trica Run, See Trica Run

I’m back! It is time to get going again on this blog thing. I have seen some really great ones and Leaca puts me to shame. I’ll never be that good but I know that I had better give it a try. So I am running a new race, just working on the training, and getting in shape to blog, blog, blog.
This photo was taken just after I finished my first ½ marathon. Yikes! Someone slap me if I ever decide to run a full marathon. Matt came down with me to Provo, UT for the race. It was insane. There were 2500 runners in the competition. We had to load up on busses at 4:30 AM on Saturday, August 9, 2008. I knew I was insane when I was out of bed that early. When we reached the start line we waited for it to get light enough to see. Then a guy just shot off a gun and …….off I went. This was a huge goal of mine. For some reason, I’m not sure why, I just wanted to do this. Through the miles of training I just kept repeating our family motto, “Enjoy the Journey”. And “Enjoy the Journey” I did. I know it sounds crazy but I actually looked forward to my long Saturday morning runs when Matt would drop me off up in the mountains 10 or so miles from home and I would just run, and run, and run, and run and run and run. I felt wonderful and free. Call me crazy (most people in my family do) but it was an incredible journey. I still can’t believe I finished in under my goal time of 2 hours. Better yet, I still can’t believe I finished! I am stronger, more confident, and a better person for the experience. I am also missing 2 toenails. I would show you a picture of that, but it would be gross! Losing my toenails was a small price to pay for how wonderful it felt to cross the finish line. Even better than that was that when I came to the finish line, I could see and hear Matt cheering for me. With tears in both ours eyes (mine because I hurt so bad) I again realized how blessed I am to have someone to support me in my crazy life. I couldn’t have done this without my wonderful Matt.

Dancing With the Star!

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I just love the show, Dancing With the Stars. In a weird sort of way, I want to be on the show. I think I just want to wear the pretty dresses and have cool hairdos. I even have Matt watching the show. We decided to make an audition tape. Here it is. We picked music from our “time” era. Hope you all laugh at it. Enjoy Matt and Trica, Dancing "Like" the Stars!

Dancing With the Stars!

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Cody and Stephanie, and Tim

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just wanted to post another blog today and bring everyone up to speed on the “kids”. I think I am getting the hang of this.

Cody and Stephanie just finished (as of yesterday) another semester at Brigham Young University. They really enjoy school there. Steph enjoys the academic stimulation and Cody enjoys the fishing at Utah Lake! For the month of May they will be staying with us. Cody will be welding with Carl Menck. He really loves that and makes a handsome sum of money to “save” for college. With every paycheck he thinks he should buy a new gun, but Steph and I won’t let him. They will be leaving for an awesome adventure to San Salvador, El Salvador at the end of May. They will be there the remainder of the summer. They will be doing humanitarian work. What a great opportunity. We are proud of them and all they are accomplishing.

Tim is in Cajamarca, Peru serving out the last 4 months of his LDS mission. We love getting his email each Monday. They are filled with amazing adventures and inspirational stories. Cajamarca is a town of about 125,00 people that is located about 5 1/5 hours from Trujillo, Peru. It is the sight of the largest gold mine in Latin America and is the second largest in the world. The town is one of the last strong holds of the Inca civilization which was taken over by Francisco Pizarro. As we are headed into spring and summer in Wyoming, Tim will be heading into fall and winter in Cajamarca. There are a lot of opportunities for missionary work in Cajamarca. Tim is very excited to be there and serve the Lord and the people of Peru.

Machu Picchu

Hello everybody. I decided to start a blog to share some of our South American adventures. We are not the most exciting family in the world but we are definitely spread around the world. Matt and I traveled to South America (Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Peru) for most of the month of March, Tim is still serving his mission in Northern Peru, and Cody and Stephanie will be leaving at the end of May to do humanitarian work in El Salvador.

This is my first try at a blog. I hope I can really get it working. The picture I am including in this first attempt is Matt and I at Machu Picchu. We really loved the majestic mountains and raging river of Machu Picchu. It was incredible feeling to be walking the same paths as the ancient Inca culture. There is definitely no other place like it on earth. I can see why Machu Picchu was named as one of the “New” Seven Wonders of the World.